Background: current succesful surgery of oesophageal atresia with tracheo-oesophageal fistula leads to increased survival of the affected newborns Hence late complications of the defect itself or those due to surgical methods occur more often.
Aim of the study: was to establish on the base of own observations, the frequency of swallowing problems, gastro-esophageal reflux and oesophagitis after successful surgery of oesophageal atresia.
Material and methods: we investigated 17 patients after successful surgery of oesophageal atresia and tracheo-oesophageal fistula, performed during the first days of life, in the Department of Paediatric Surgery, Medical University of Gdańsk (chief prof Czesław Stoba). These patients were diagnosed and treated in the Department of Paediatrics, Paediatric Gastroenterology and Oncology, Medical University of Gdańsk, during 2005-2006. There were 10 boys and 7 girls, aged from 4 to 14 years (in the - years 2005-2006). In all children, besides obtaining the detailed history concerning dyspeptic symptoms and dysphagia, upper alimentary tract endoscopy, oesophagography and pH-metric examinations were performed
Results: gastroesopghageal reflux (GER) was diagnosed in 41.2%, and oesophagitis, by endoscopic examination, in. 17.7% of patients. Disturbed oesophageal motility on radiography was observed in 88.2% of children.
Conclusions: despite the high frequency of gastroesopghageal reflux among this group of patients, their health condition was good, dysphagia and the intensity of the oesophagitis were mild. But it should be remembered that prolonged gastroesopghageal reflux may cause serious complications.